City to Warriors: Let’s talk, just the two of us

The Golden State Warriors can enter into exclusive negotiations with city officials to develop a new arena at Piers 30-32 on the San Francisco waterfront, the Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday.

Artist's rendering of the proposed waterfront arena.

The resolution, approved 11-0, said the proposed project does not need to be put out to competitive bid. It also directs the Port of San Francisco and the city’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development to work closely with neighbors and other interested parties, including the San Francisco Giants, “to ensure that that the proposed project is designed with maximum public input.”

It also urges city staff to make the project a high priority.

“Nothing in this resolution approves or endorses any aspect of a potential future real estate transaction with the Warriors, any changes to land-use regulations or any proposed physical projects. Those actions will be before this board in the future,” said Ken Rich, the project manager at City Hall.

Now, with the board’s endorsement in hand, the city and the Warriors basketball team, whose home court is now in Oakland, will begin detailed discussions on the proposed development at Piers 30-32, just just south of the Bay Bridge and the seawall lot across the street.